1. Chemical Accidents

The Chemical Accidents Programme works to develop guidance on prevention of, preparedness for, and response to chemical accidents. It facilitates the sharing of information and experiences of both OECD and non-member countries. The Programme is managed by the Working Group on Chemical Accidents (WGCA).

A new Decision-Recommendation concerning Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response and its supporting technical guidance the Third Edition of the Guiding Principles on Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response, were published in June 2023.

l The Decision-Recommendation was adopted by the OECD Council at Ministerial level on 8 June 2023. This legal instrument sets out key high-level elements to support the development of a chemical accidents programme covering the fields of prevention, preparedness, and response. It addresses critical issues such as the identification of hazardous installations, the development of safety objectives and a control framework, land-use planning and siting of hazardous installations, investigation of accidents and the development of lessons learnt, communication and engagement with the public, transboundary accidents, and cooperation and technical assistance. The Decision-Recommendation is a consolidation and update of three original OECD legal instruments from 1988 and 2004.

l The Guiding Principles sets out detailed technical guidance for industry and public authorities for the safe planning and operation of installations where there are hazardous substances. It covers the wide range of measures necessary to ensure effective chemical safety. This third edition reflects on lessons learnt from major accidents worldwide since the previous edition in 2003, as well as emerging issues such as those linked to climate change adaptation, and response to unexpected crisis.

Work continues to finalise two documents: the joint OECD/EU-JRC/UN Guidance on Managing Natech Accident Risk: A Guide for Senior Leaders in Industry and Public Authorities; the Guidance on the Benefits of Regulations for Chemical Accidents Prevention, Preparedness and Response. Publication for both documents is planned for 2024.

Two online seminars were organised on 27-28 June 2023 for delegates to exchange on challenges in the management of hazardous substances at port areas. The first seminar provided examples from different ports focusing on how these ports are run, the different types of regulatory regimes operative at different points of the transport flow, the key risk management elements that seem to cause concern, and good practice examples for management of risks. The second seminar provided information on chemical accidents management, different types of chemical accidents occurred at port areas and lessons learnt, and the particular challenges in ports for emergency preparedness and response.

Recent publications - Series on Chemical Accidents

No. 35:

Guiding Principles on Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response – Third Edition

Decision-Recommendation of the Council concerning Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response [OECD/LEGAL/0490]

Forthcoming event

24-26 October 2023

33rd Meeting of the Working Party on Chemical Accidents